WorldWide Drilling Resource

Northern Plains Chapter of the ISEE President: Ron Eastman Tel: 307-680-8805 www.npcisee.org 29 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2013 Type 5 Magazine Clarification Part 2 Adapted from Information by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Last month, we began discussing whether the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regula- tions at 27 CFR, Part 555 and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulations at 30 CFR Part 56 (metal/nonmetal), and Part 77 (above- ground coal), for the placarding of Type 5 magazines at regulated mining sites conflicted. To clear up any confusion or misin- terpretation, the Explosives Industry Programs Branch of the ATF clarified the regulation specifications. MSHAmetal/nonmetal regulations at 30 CFR Part 56 define a “magazine” as, A bullet-resistant, theft-resistant, fire-resis- tant, weather-resistant, ventilated facility for the storage of explosives and deto- nators (ATF Type 1 or Type 2 facility) . It also restricts the placement of signage to (ATF) Type 1 or Type 2 facilities. However, MSHA’s definition of a “storage facility” is, the entire class of structures used to store explosive materials . So, storage facilities used to store blasting agents are equiva- lent to an ATF Type 4 or 5 storage facility. Now we continue our discussion with regards to the MSHA Coal Regulations at 30 CFR Part 77. This regulation states, detonators and explosives other than blasting agents shall be stored in mag- azines . It requires magazines be post- ed with suitable danger signs located so a bullet passing through the face of a sign will not strike the magazine. Accordingly, dynamite, detonators, and other high explosives must be stored in magazines, and signs or placards may not be placed on the side of such mag- azines. However, the regulation also states, sensitized ammonium nitrate blasting agents, and the components thereof prior to mixing, shall be mixed and stored in accordance with the recommendations in Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8179, “Safety Recommendations for Sensitized Ammonium Nitrate Blasting Agents , or subsequent revisions .” According to paragraph 44 of the Circular, the storage building should be well ventilated, kept locked when unat- tended, and posted with proper warning signs. Although it clearly requires warn- ing signs, it stops short of specifying the signs must be placed so a bullet pass- ing through the sign will not strike the building. Therefore, explosives storage facilities (Type 5 magazines containing only bulk blasting agents) may meet the ATF requirement for being posted with placards and still remain compliant with MSHA coal regulations (aboveground) pertaining to signage. For more information visit: www.atf.gov The U.S. possesses the largest non- China rare earth resource in the world at the Mt. Pass Mine in California.